Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that despite the deliberate distractions by detractors, the State Government will remain focused on delivering good governance to the people to justify the mandate freely given to it by the electorate.
This is even as the Governor has urged the leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to sustain the promotion of excellence in financial reporting and practice in the country secured over the years.
Governor Fubara gave the charge when he received on courtesy visit, a delegation of the Association led by its 13th National President, Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, to Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday night.
Represented by Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, Governor Fubara noted that the Government’s eyes will remain glued on the ball in order not to miss achieving set targets in critical sectors.
While assuring that he will not disappoint Rivers people, Governor Fubara noted that the interest of the State comes first before any other consideration, stressing that no matter the pressure to via off the curve, the Government will never yield to the machinations of self-serving politicians and individuals.
He charged ANAN to remain consistent in professional financial practice as that was one best way to institutionalise best practices, due diligence and transparency in governance.
This culture of excellence, he said, has been enforced among its members who are subjected to continuous education to become contemporarily relevant, which has won ANAN a reputation of integrity.
The Governor said, “So, know that it’s actually a pleasure to have you come hold your Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme in Port Harcourt. And also to say that it is an association that rings a bell.
“In fact, two of my staff actually passed their training examinations. It was in Jos, and I asked them: what are you going to do there? And they said, it was mandatory for them. So, you’re doing a good and wonderful job.
“It is good to be good and consistent so that you have that integrity for the Association. And to congratulate you for the college that has been established because anything to do with education, it is something that is top notch because people have to learn, train and be retrained.
“And to tell you that my Governor is very passionate about things that have to do with improvement of capacities and building of individuals and human beings. I’m delighted that he will be willing to do something that will put his name on the marble when you talk about ANAN College.”
Governor Fubara commended their decision of choosing Port Harcourt as host for their 2024 professional development programme, and urged them to enjoy their visit while achieving the purpose they had set out for themselves.
He said that the choice of the State for the annual gathering of professional accountants was an eloquent indication that the State was safe not just for national conferences, summits and retreats, but also for long-term investors and visitors, as the State was peaceful, hospitable and investment-friendly.
“It is, indeed, gratifying that when conferences or meetings are schedule in Rivers State, for us, it is a plus because it resonates with the fact that Rivers State is safe; that Rivers State is a place you can do business and interact with people,” the Governor added.
In his address, the 13th National President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, said they were in Government House on solidarity visit to the Governor, who is a fellow of the Association.
Dr Neminebor, who is also Chairman of Council of ANAN, explained that as a body of 55,000 members with 44 branches across Nigeria, they are reckoned as one of the topmost institutes for practicing accountants.
He also said that ANAN decided that the three-day 2nd session of 2024 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme should be hosted in Port Harcourt to underscore the pivotal position of Rivers State in national economy.
On the delegation were national and state executive officers of the association, while the training event, which began on Monday with registration of participants, will end on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.